Disabling 2006 TJ ignition switch steering wheel lock

[BendLarry]

I will be flat towing my Jeep soon. I wanted to be able to just pull the key and not have to worry about the steering wheel being locked. The way the manual tells you to operate the Jeep while flat towing, is to turn the ignition key to the position just before ignition, I think that's the acc. position. In that position the battery will drain to some degree, and the steering wheel will not be locked. I decided to tear the switch assembly apart and figure out how the steering lock worked.

I removed the locking mechanism so now all I have to do is remove the key and go. I didn't take any pictures, sorry..... because I didn't know what I was doing most of the time. I do now! If anyone wants to know how I did this, well too bad! LOL Nah I would try to explain it if anyone is interested.

 

[bobthetj03]

I'd be interested. I generally don't travel long enough to worry about battery drain, but the wheel lock feature is pretty much useless to me, so removing that feature would be of interest.

 

[Rob5589]

Actually the first position unlocks the wheel, no battery drain.

 

[BendLarry]

Yes as I said the first position unlocks the steering wheel, but if you have anything connected to that position, you have battery drain, minimal but drain nonetheless. I also didn't want someone to see the key in the ignition and see a possibility for a theft. One solution is to get a key made without the chip and then the key would not start the engine, but I chose the no key in the ignition switch option.


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[BendLarry]

I'd be interested. I generally don't travel long enough to worry about battery drain, but the wheel lock feature is pretty much useless to me, so removing that feature would be of interest.

Ok here is a brief, not complete description of the process.
In the picture below you will be removing the larger spring ( not pictured but will fall out when you take off the plate holding in the actuator) and the metal square thing in the middle sticking up. You have to remove the actuator in order to do this. Here is a picture of the actuator. Be aware that when you remove the actuator that brass looking thing with the little spring just might fly across the shop, wonder how I know?

Basically you remove the clam shell around the steering column, 2 philips screws. Drop the tilt if you have tilt so you can remove the upper half of the clam shell. Remove the switch barrel, press the tab that releases it while pulling on the key in the ignition. Then remove the electronic portion of the switch assembly on the other end of the actuator. There is 1 very small tamper proof torque screw that holds the switch assembly to the end of the actuator. The cover on the actuator has 2 of the same screws they need to be removed to drop out the actuator. Once the actuator is in your hands pull out the guts and remove the heavy metal piece and throw it away, it's what engages with a slot in the steering shaft. Put everything back together and now it's impossible to lock the steering.

I researched the interwebs before doing this and did not find one picture of an actuator that looked like mine. Yours may vary.

 

[bobthetj03]

Thanks for the post. Having the key in the ignition when I have the soft top on is a bit concerning, but I wouldn't generally be far away from the coach for long periods of time when hooked up.

 

[BendLarry]

It took me about an hour and cost me nothing. I like the peace of mind knowing my steering wheel cannot lock.

 

[Ricochet1026]

This works! My '06 Rubicon steering lock somehow activated twice while flat towing. fortunately was going slow and caught it before any front end damaged. after this mod no key and no worries. i did use a dremel to cut the top of the big block off and reinstalled the bottom and spring. Appears to help guide the whole actuator. I've attached a good youtube video of how to remove the entire assembly and replace.

 

[04TJBlk]

I will be flat towing my Jeep soon. I wanted to be able to just pull the key and not have to worry about the steering wheel being locked. The way the manual tells you to operate the Jeep while flat towing, is to turn the ignition key to the position just before ignition, I think that's the acc. position. In that position the battery will drain to some degree, and the steering wheel will not be locked. I decided to tear the switch assembly apart and figure out how the steering lock worked.

I removed the locking mechanism so now all I have to do is remove the key and go. I didn't take any pictures, sorry..... because I didn't know what I was doing most of the time. I do now! If anyone wants to know how I did this, well too bad! LOL Nah I would try to explain it if anyone is interested.

Would you mind telling me how you removed the lock?? Would be much appreciated.

 

[B1Toad]

Would you mind telling me how you removed the lock?? Would be much appreciated.

I just did mine yesterday, it was a piece of cake. Work carefully, once you get the assembly separated from the rest of the ignition switch parts carry it over to a bench and work on a towel, pay close attention to how the little brass part and spring fits because they will come off and don't let the spring fly away. Take a pic of it beforehand.

 

[04TJBlk]

I just did mine yesterday, it was a piece of cake. Work carefully, once you get the assembly separated from the rest of the ignition switch parts carry it over to a bench and work on a towel, pay close attention to how the little brass part and spring fits because they will come off and don't let the spring fly away. Take a pic of it beforehand.

Much appreciated

 

[04TJBlk]

Much appreciated

Oh I’m sorry. This actually didn’t work for me

 

[B1Toad]

Oh I’m sorry. This actually didn’t work for me

Is it different on your 04?

 

[04TJBlk]

Either that or I am finding that some manuals have one that have to manually remove…

 

[Moglocker]

Is it different on your 04?

You have to take dremel and cut the top haif of the block off

 

[B1Toad]

You have to take dremel and cut the top haif of the block off

I just removed the block altogether. Then I got a real steering wheel lock for those times when I might need one.

 

[Moglocker]

You have to take dremel and cut the top haif of the block off

I just removed the block altogether. Then I got a real steering wheel lock for those times when I might need one.

View attachment 401331

Like the other poster said,if you leave half in there ,it seems like it would work smoother

 

[B1Toad]

Like the other poster said,if you leave half in there ,it seems like it would work smoother

hmmm I didn't think about that. It is slotted vertically so really could only loosely offer support on 2 sides. Mine seems to work fine, couldn't feel any difference really.

 

[mrblaine]

Ya'll are silly. As stated, the first click after you insert the key has no electrical connection because that it how it was designed very specifically for flat towing to unlock the steering wheel and not have any power draw. If the steering wheel locked, you didn't have it in the first click, it is that simple. What's next, locking valve stem caps?

 

[B1Toad]

Ya'll are silly. As stated, the first click after you insert the key has no electrical connection because that it how it was designed very specifically for flat towing to unlock the steering wheel and not have any power draw. If the steering wheel locked, you didn't have it in the first click, it is that simple. What's next, locking valve stem caps?

We understand that, the whole point is so that when towing you don't have to leave the Jeep outside a restaurant or any other place you choose to stop at with the key in it. Sure you could lock the ignition and remove the key but at the risk of forgetting to unlock it when you pull away, with disastrous results.